Malawi leader Lazarus Chakwera has led the nation in sending condolences to the people of England following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen who was the UK’s longest serving monarch died at Balmoral aged 96 after reigning for 70 years.

In a stement issued by Chakwera, expressed his deepest condolences “to the British Royal family and the Government of Great Britain on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was also Queen of Malawi between 1964 and 1966.”

According to Chakwera, the Queen captivated the imagination of Malawians and demonstrated the same solidarity with the country’s quest to socioeconomic liberation as she has done with political independence.

“We join the whole world in mourning her passing and appreciating the life of generosity to mankind, devotion to duty, service to country, dedication to family and faith in God that she so humbly and ably embodied,” Chakwera said.

He added that his thoughts are with the Queen family in this time.